LOS ALAMITOS — Detectives are seeking the public’s help in capturing a home invasion suspect who attacked a 21-year-old woman with a blunt object before rummaging through her two-story apartment.

The woman, who suffered a 5-inch cut to her head in the Friday incident, did not suffer any major injuries during the incident, Los Alamitos police Capt. Bruce McAlpine said.

The male intruder took a purse and a notebook computer, McAlpine said.

“It’s highly unusual,” he said of the home invasion in the city. “They rarely occur.”

The victim was in her living room watching television when the intruder entered through an open bathroom window and struck her from behind with the blunt object, McAlpine said.

“The strike disoriented her and it is believed she may have temporarily lost consciousness,” McAlpine said.

The suspect then demanded money, but the victim said she did not have any.

The man gagged the woman and restrained her hands behind her back. He then told her not to look at him or move and then forced her to lay face down on a couch, McAlpine said.

Once the victim was immobilized, the suspect rummaged through the apartment and located the victim’s purse, computer and keys to her second-floor bedroom.

“When the suspect stopped paying attention to the victim, she was able to free her hands from behind her back and escape through the front door of the apartment,” McAlpine said.

The suspect did not chase the victim and fled the apartment, he said.

There was no attempt to sexually assault the victim, McAlpine said.

Los Alamitos police officers searched the area with the assistance of the Cypress and Seal Beach patrol officers.

The suspect is described as white, has as an athletic built, from 30 to 40 years old, is about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds. He also wore glasses and gloves during the crime, McAlpine said.

Detectives are working on a composite sketch.

The victim was transported and released from the Los Alamitos Medical Center after being treated at the scene by paramedics.

A second resident in the apartment in the 3800 block of Green Street was unaware of the intruder, McAlpine said.

Anyone with information about the crime can call Detective Dan Brandt at 562 431-2255, Ext. 406.